The following article contains spoilers from Chicago P.D. Season 10, Episode 14, "Trapped," which debuted Wednesday, Feb. 22 on NBC.
There was much excitement surrounding Chicago P.D.'s 200th episode. However, instead of celebrating the show and its whole ensemble of complex characters, "Trapped" focused individually on Kim Burgess and her history of trauma. And while the episode was full of action-packed and emotionally charged moments, it was a disappointment when compared to the 100th episode -- which not only involved the whole team but was part of a One Chicago crossover event.
Chicago P.D.'s more character-centric format in Season 10 has been a way to explore the headspace of a different Intelligence Unit member in each episode. And "Trapped" was a great spotlight for Burgess and actor Marina Squerciati. But the 200th episode is a group achievement. Why was this milestone utilized as a spotlight for Burgess instead of an ensemble-based hour of action that would've brought the show back to its roots?
Chicago P.D.'s 100th Episode Was Better Than Its 200th
Chicago P.D.'s 100th episode "Profiles" was part of a crossover with Chicago Fire -- which was fitting since most of the P.D. characters had been introduced on Chicago Fire. Then-showrunner Rick Eid told TVLine the episode was the "most integrated" of crossovers, showcasing all the characters in a two-hour story that combined elements of both P.D. and Fire. Cast members from Chicago Med also appeared during the event. While that was a lot of characters to service, the exciting plotline offered adequate screen time for all of the major players.
In an attempt to track down a bombing suspect, P.D.’s Hank Voight and Antonio Dawson met with Chicago Fire's Chief Wallace Boden, who reluctantly allowed paramedics Gabriela Dawson and Sylvie Brett to go undercover. With the progress of the investigation came complications -- at which point Fire's Matthew Casey and his risk-taking colleague Kelly Severide offered their expertise. Unlike Chicago P.D.'s 200th episode, the 100th episode did not focus on one character at the expense of screen time for the others. Its literally explosive plotline kept the story moving at a fast pace just like "Trapped," but it was much bigger in scope because of the crossover event. The 200th episode was also exciting, but it felt much smaller because of its setting and its focus.
Chicago P.D.'s 200th Episode Was Great for Burgess - But Not Everyone Else
Burgess has been through a lot on her Chicago P.D journey, and "Trapped" forced her to confront her trauma head-on. The sound of a car backfiring caused Burgess to have a panic attack early on, serving as a reminder to audiences that she was still struggling after her Season 8 kidnapping. She then boarded a busy subway train with her on-again, off-again love interest Adam Ruzek, only to find an active shooter on board. The title of the episode reflected not only her physical state, but Burgess’ ongoing mental state -- acknowledged by Burgess in a conversation with her therapist at the end, in which she admitted she was feeling trapped and working on setting herself free.
"Trapped" dazzled visually given the hindrances of setting most of the episode in a small space. The plot's intensity was heightened by a passenger bleeding out whom Burgess had to save, and Ruzek had a high-stakes moment confronting the suspect. But the storyline itself was half-hearted. There was a colossal lack of background information of clear motivation behind the suspect's actions. These elements could have been explored by the other characters while Burgess and Ruzek were fighting for their lives on the subway.
Chicago P.D. gave viewers were a sprinkling of Burgess and Kevin Atwater content, while Voight and Burgess worked together for a few coveted moments of screen time. It would, however, have strengthened the episode – and been more fitting for the milestone of 200 episodes – had these interactions been more than brief. While "Trapped" was a triumph for Squerciati and a momentous episode for Burgess, it wasn't as thrilling as the 100th episode and it was a disappointment not to make it an event that featured all of the characters who made 200 episodes possible.
Chicago P.D. airs Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m. on NBC.